Requisite for reducing emissions of side stream smoke from a cigarette

ABSTRACT

A smoker&#39;s requisite for reducing the amount of smoke given off by the smouldering tip of a cigarette. The requisite consists of a rigid sleeve that may be slid along a cigarette and momentarily positioned over the smouldering tip thereof then withdrawn to enable the smoker to take a puff from the opposite end in a conventional way. The sleeve advantageously comprises a finger engaging gripping and supporting portion providing ventilation of the cigarette body, and a briar wood portion designed to be controllably moved over the smouldering tip.

This invention relates to a requisite for smokers for reducing theamount of smoke emitted by a cigarette, in particular reducing theamount of so-called “side-stream smoke”.

This latter smoke is the smoke emitted by the smoldering tip of thecigarette. It is particularly visible between two inhalations of thesmoker, for example when the cigarette lies in an ashtray.

Different systems have already been put forward to this end. They areoften complicated, cumbersome and not very effective. To the knowledgeof the applicant no requisite of this type has been marketed.

Recently (WO95/10200), requisites were put forward that are capable ofretaining in a chamber (“wrap up”) the smoke emitted by the tip of thecigarette which is then filtered prior to reaching the outside. Thesupply of air is provided in a passive manner and the chamber can be acardboard box capable of being manipulated with one hand and alsofulfilling the function of ashtray. These requisites are effective andconstitute a significant progress. They nevertheless remain relativelycumbersome and have psychological disadvantages for the smoker, e.g. thepartial non-visibility of the cigarette.

According to the document of patent GB 2.157.541, it has also beestablished that it is possible to reduce the side-stream smoke producedduring the smoldering of a cigarette, by fitting a simple sleeve to thisthat surrounds it, sleeve or ring capable of friction sliding, and whoseposition can be regulated at any time by the smoker.

The sleeve is in the form of a pipe segment, preferably rigid, ofinternal diameter approximately equal to the diameter of a cigarette.This sleeve is in metal, plastic or in the form of a thin layer ofrolled-up inorganic paper.

When the extremity of the sleeve covers the smoldering tip or theboundary between this latter and the unburned paper, the relativelyquick smoldering of the cigarette is greatly reduced and the visiblesmoke emitted from it almost disappears. The side supply of oxygen isindeed cut off. The cigarette only goes out after a lapse of time of theorder of 1 to 2 minutes.

This system comprises certain disadvantages, for example the difficultyof utilization which has to become instinctive, the traces ofcondensation which appear on the outer and inner walls, fouling and analteration of the flavor due to the material used.

To the knowledge of the applicant, no device of this type has yet beenmarketed.

This invention consists in providing considerable improvements to thistype of device by facilitating its handling by the smoker who utilizesit and by facilitating a daily and hygienic utilization.

According to one aspect of the invention, a device is indeed put forwardcomprising at least one part covering or close to the smoldering tip ofthe cigarette (distal part) and a distinct gripping part which servesfor handling (proximal part).

According to the invention, the part covering or close to the smolderingtip of the cigarette is imperforate and is made of a material utilizedfor traditional pipe bowls, more especially briar wood or meerschaum.

The above mentioned parts are preferentially in the form of distinctlongitudinal segments made to form one piece by friction, screwing orgluing.

These latter materials are nevertheless not very dimensionally stableand are relatively costly. According to another aspect of the invention,the requisite consequently comprises a gripping part in a more stableand more economical material, for example another wood or a plastic.This aspect of the invention enables industrial manufacturing.

The sleeve according to the invention operates like a controlled effectextinguisher. It can be pushed toward the smoldering tip and returned toa more proximal position, generally with the fingers of the free hand ofthe smoker. Handling can also, advantageously, be done with the fingersof the hand that holds the cigarette, for example with the thumb forpushing the cigarette on the one hand and the thumb and the ring fingerfor withdrawing the cigarette. In order to slide a very light sleeve,just the index finger can be used.

The movement of the sleeve along the cigarette can also be effected byholding the cigarette between the lips, the index finger and the middlefinger taking hold of the requisite as they would take hold of acigarette conventionally and sliding it.

When the smoker wishes to inhale smoke, he moves the sleeve as mentionedabove freeing the smoldering tip. Inhalation can then take placenormally. After inhalation, the sleeve is returned and the process isadvantageously repeated for each inhalation. The unburned part of thepaper of the cigarette is thus returned inside the sleeve between eachinhalation.

Other techniques for smoking with this device can be adopted. Thecigarette can thus be moved forward in the sleeve by a distance thatdepends on the manner of inhaling of the smoker so that the burned partof the cigarette essentially corresponds to the emergent part of theextremity. According to other variants inhalation with the lighted tipin the sleeve is possible.

The user can easily acquire a certain dexterity for moving the sleevealong the cigarette and thus controlling the secondary emission ofsmoke. If at the beginning accidental extinctions can occur, thisdexterity very quickly becomes effective and natural and eveninstinctive.

The duration of smoldering of the cigarette is generally increased. Innormal use, and depending on the length of the sleeve, the presence ofthis latter nevertheless stops the cigarettes from being smoked right upto the filter tip which constitutes an advantage insofar as it is thislast part that is recognized as being the most harmful (tar, nicotine,heat). If the user so wishes, the sleeve can be retracted at any timeand the remainder of the cigarette smoked as usual.

In economic terms, the invention can also procure numerous advantagesdue to slower smoldering. Furthermore the requisite enables theextinction and relighting of a cigarette as desired without an ashtraybeing necessary, and without substantial alteration to flavor,unaesthetic stubbing out of the cigarette end, or moreover emission ofsmoke when extinguishing.

Irrespective of the beneficial effect on the emission of smoke, theslowing down of the smoldering can be desired in environments where thisis too fast, e.g. in open air and when it is windy.

Advantageously, given that the wall of the sleeve near the distal partis relatively thick (over 2 mm), the requisite according to theinvention can be placed horizontally on a table with the lit cigaretteinserted in it. The distance between the supporting surface and thesmoldering tip prevents all burning of the aforesaid surface and if thecigarette is forgotten, it will go out automatically.

According to the invention, the sleeve is a short sleeve of a materialnon-inflammable at the temperature of the smoldering tip of thecigarette. The sleeve comprises at least two functionally differentparts namely a gripping proximal part and a distal part forming acontrolled ventilation combustion chamber.

Preferably, the device according to the invention will be made from awood, more preferentially a wood able to serve for manufacturingtraditional pipes, in particular pipe bowls. This could for example bebriar or boxwood.

These woods constitute a particularly advantageous material, amongothers because the flavor of the smoke inhaled is not or hardly altered.

The sleeve can be formed by turnery. For products according to theinvention only to be used a limited number of times, e.g. so-called“throw-away” products, more readily available woods can be utilized(e.g. so-called alimentary woods such as beech) or economical materialsknown for making pipes (corn-cob).

Heat stability, in particular for the top of the range products, isimportant in order to enable a constant friction between the cigaretteand the device according to the invention. If the diameter of the sleeveincreases too significantly under the effect of the heat, this riskssliding and falling away from the body of the cigarette.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve is made of twoseparable parts. The two parts can be of different materials, forexample in different types of woods.

Two parts can thus be provided capable of being reversibly separable,e.g. simply forming one piece by friction, and the requisite is thenmodifiable. The proximal, gripping part can then be designed as a moreworked and decorative element, and the distal part adapting by frictionwould be in wood and, according to a variant, replaceable such as acartridge after having smoked a certain number of cigarettes.

As stated, these two parts can therefore consist of different materials,for example briar for the distal part and plastic for the proximal part.

The length of the sleeve is preferably such that the two fingers holdingthe cigarette must easily be able to hold the sleeve by its proximalpart, the distal part only being destined to receive or be close to thesmoldering tip and being generally considerably hotter. The proximalpart advantageously comprises at least a hollow or an annular groovedestined to receive the fingers of the user holding the sleeve with thecigarette inserted therein.

The total length will typically be between 2 and 5 cm, preferably 2.8 to4.0 cm. A length of 3.2 cm has proved satisfactory for a great number ofdifferent models.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the configuration of theproximal part of the sleeve can advantageously be adapted in a way toleave a ventilation under this part. Openings or slits can thus beprovided which enable the cigarette paper to be directly in contact withthe outside. This characteristic enables an undesirable condensationinside the sleeve to be avoided. The percentage of the ventilatedsurface may exceed 40%.

This interior face of this proximal part can also have longitudinalgrooves which only rest by friction on the body of the cigarette andthus make the ventilation of the paper much easier.

The distal part of the device can comprise longitudinal or transversefins which dissipate the heat transmitted by the smoldering tip. Thisenables involuntary burns by contact of a finger on this part to beavoided which, depending on the material utilized, can in reality bevery hot.

According to a less preferred embodiment of the invention at present,the distal and proximal part nevertheless form a single body in woodcomprising several integrated segments (gripping segment—combustionchamber segment).

According to a variant the extremity of the distal part neverthelesscomprises an interior annular seating (facing) in which a ring of abetter adapted and more heat-resistant material is attached by friction,in particular in briar, meerschaum or in terra cotta. The wall of thering advantageously has a thickness greater than 1 mm (generally from0.5 mm to 4.5 mm). The ring can easily be replaced or simply removed andput back, returned, in the annular seating thus offering a new annularfireplace zone.

In all cases, a plug that adapts itself in the distal opening of thesleeve when this is not utilized can advantageously be provided. Thischaracteristic enables on the one hand the user to be protected from theburned part and therefore from being dirtied by the object, for examplewhen this is pocketed and on the other hand from the inside wall of thedistal part to be cleaned which possibly comprises a tarry deposit.According to an additional characteristic, the plug is a cleaning plugthat has an abrasive wall capable of removing all deposits from theinside wall of the tube at its distal extremity. The plug canadvantageously be adapted for also covering a part of the outside wallof the distal part of the sleeve. According to another variant the plugscrews onto a thread present on the exterior surface of the distal partof the sleeve, screw thread capable of serving as cooling “fins”, asmentioned above.

An independent abrasive element can also be provided in the form of atube or a rod whose exterior surface is abrasive, the tube beingslightly conical and suitable for being inserted via the distal part ofthe sleeve.

According to a variant, the sleeve according to the invention is in acontainer, for example in the form of a case, preferably rigid. Thiscase comprises the two complementary parts, forming one piece oradaptable by friction. A plug forming element, abrasive tube or abrasiverod can be connected to the case which thus constitutes a kit. This kitcan comprise several sleeves or sleeve parts according to the invention.

Generally, the user could possess several requisites according to theinvention in order to be able to smoke in different circumstances andwith slightly different flavors, and thus increase the ludic aspect ofthe invention. A sleeve can thus be left to cool off or “rest”, byutilizing another model. The method will be rather close to that of pipesmokers.

According to another aspect of the invention a guard can be provided atthe end of the sleeve, or preferably at the end of the aforesaidproximal part of the sleeve in the form of an annular flange extendingmore or less perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve and surrounding it.This element, by being an obstacle, enables the residual smoke which isproduced, to contaminate the fingers of the smoker less.

An ergonomic form for being held between the fingers of the user canadvantageously be adapted by arranging, in combination or not with theaforesaid flange, for the fingers thus to fit into a well-formed annulargroove.

Finally, the proximal extremity of the requisite can have a bevel-edgedopening or a funnel-shaped opening in order to facilitate the insertionof the cigarette into the sleeve, generally prior to lighting thecigarette.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention atpresent, the device put forward consists of three segments:

a proximal part destined to be gripped by the fingers of the user, whichcan be separable. The wall is preferably widely perforated. When theimpermeable intermediate part described below is integrated into theproximal part the diameter of this is preferably very slightly greaterthan the diameter of a cigarette thus enabling the subjacent cigarettepaper to breath. This part is preferably light, non-inflammable, verywell ventilated and stable.

a shorter, annular impermeable part of diameter such that the frictionof the cigarette is greater there than that of the distal part andpossibly of the proximal part. This impermeable part corresponds e.g. toa segment of 0.2 to 0.5 cm. The impermeable part prevents the passage ofair and/or smoke, along the outside wall of the cigarette, between theproximal part and the distal part. This characteristic prevents, amongothers, all staining of the proximal part, e.g. by condensation ofsmoke, as well as all emission of smoke coming from a supply of aircoming from the proximal part, along the cigarette paper.

a combustion chamber forming part, destined to receive or be close tothe smoldering tip of the cigarette, the corresponding diameter beingslightly greater and, preferably, enabling the paper not to be incontact with the inside wall of this distal part.

The invention will be better understood by examining the attacheddrawings provided only by way of example.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a simple sleeve 1 according to formerskills.

FIG. 2 is a representation of a sleeve according to former skills with aproximal part 2 mouth side pierced with circular holes 3.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a sleeve that has a bevelled edge 4 and aninternal slotting 5 promoting the ventilation of the paper, the slottingonly extending over the proximal part A of the sleeve. This embodimentcan also comprise openings according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents a sleeve according to the invention with a grippingpart comprising extremity flanges 6 promoting the holding or handling ofthe sleeve between the fingers of the user. The distal part is on theleft, and is imperforate.

FIG. 5 represents a requisite according to FIG. 4 to which a cigarette 7in waiting position is associated, in other words without inhalation.The incandescent ashes 8 do not smoke or hardly at all when they areinside the distal part of the sleeve. The extremity of this part is nearthe unburned paper.

FIG. 6 is a figure in perspective of the requisite according to FIGS. 4and 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 represent longitudinal views of devices according to theinvention in which the holes of the proximal part have elongated andtransverse forms.

In 10 a slightly funnel-shaped hole is distinguished that facilitatesthe insertion of the cigarette and leads to an inside channel of 8 mmdiameter, represented in dashed-dotted lines, depending on the diameterof the cigarettes utilized, standardized diameter on some type values onthe market. In 11 are distinguished the transversally elongatedventilation openings, the flanges 12 and 13 facilitating holding betweenthe fingers, the fins 14 promoting cooling and reducing the temperatureof the object and thus enabling all accidental burns to be avoided.

The distal part of the device illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises a seatingin which a ring 30 can be attached by friction, ring which will be in amaterial more resistant to heat than the main body of the object. Alsoillustrated is a plug adaptable by friction and comprising a conicalpart 16, an abrasive cylindrical part 17 enabling possible deposits tobe eliminated which would impede the proper sliding of the cigarette orthe readjustment of the diameter of the fireplace if this is made of amaterial capable of “moving” (for example briar, in particular being“run-in”). The head of the plug 18 can comprise a peripheral turned-downpart (not illustrated) partially extending over the external surface ofthe sleeve.

FIGS. 9a and 9 b illustrate an example of cigarette-holder to which adevice according to the aspect of the invention has been adapted. Thesleeve 20 is distinguished which slides along the cigarette 25, formingone piece with the lateral rods 21 (here two rods, of which only one isrepresented in FIG. 9b) sliding into an element of the cigarette-holderequipped with channels or sliding grooves 22, a control element 23,forming one piece with the rods and enabling the sleeve to be slid alongthe cigarette with the help of a finger, this control element being abutton itself sliding on the upper part of the body of thecigarette-holder.

FIG. 10 illustrates a requisite according to the invention preferred atpresent. Distinguished there are the proximal part 30, the distal part31 and the impermeable intermediate part 32 of internal diameterslightly less (from 0.04 to 0.08 mm) than the internal diameters of thedistal part and possibly, of the proximal part when this latter isintegrated into the impermeable/choke part. The intermediate part formsone piece with and integral to the distal part which is made of amaterial 37 which can be briar wood. The length of the intermediate partcan vary e.g. from 2 to 5 mm. Holes 33 of 3 mm diameter, which can be asmany as 32, traversing the proximal part, manufactured of a material 34such as boxwood or a plastic, in order to ventilate the subjacent papermore. Two flanges 35 are also distinguished integrated into the proximalpart and the cooling fins (36 in section).

FIG. 11 illustrates the same requisite, on true scale this time (3 cm inlength), separated into these two components normally forming one pieceby friction or gluing. The cavity 39 is distinguished in which lodgesthe intermediate part 32 of a diameter of 8.0 mm extended by the distalpart. The distal part is equipped with transverse fins, the exteriordiameter being 14 mm and the interior diameter 8.07 mm.

FIG. 12 illustrates another form of the embodiment in which the distalpart 41 comes to lodge completely, for example by friction, in theproximal part 42 extending toward its extremity in a sufficientlyperforated supporting structure 43. In this embodiment, the choke part42 is integrated into the proximal part.

It will be understood that, for the requisite according to the inventionand its utilization, numerous variants of constructions and detailsexist which are incorporated into the scope of the protection sought bythis patent application.

The invention relates to all new and inventive aspects, taken separatelyor in whatever combination, and divulged in this description.

The invention therefore puts forward a simple, economic, compact,hygienic requisite for smokers that very considerably limits theemission of side-stream smoke, enabling easy relighting of a cigarette,having a ludic aspect with numerous modes of utilization and combiningthe qualities of flavor with safety and ease of use.

What is claimed is:
 1. Requisite for reducing the quantity of smokeemanating from the smoldering tip of a cigarette consisting of anelongated ring whose circular hole enables the aforesaid ring to slidewith friction along the aforesaid cigarette, under the influence of thefingers of the user, characterized in that the ring comprises at least aproximal part to be oriented on the side for inhaling the cigarette,made of a dimensionally stable material, and a distal part destined toreceive or be close to the smoldering tip of the cigarette made of adifferent material, utilized for manufacturing pipe bowls, wherein theproximal part comprises holes traversing the wall and enabling theventilation of the body of the cigarette under this segment, theperforated surface of the proximal segment being greater than 20%, thedistal part being imperforate.
 2. A cylindrical sleeve for reducing thequantity of smoke emanating from the smoldering tip of a cigaretteconsisting of an elongated ring whose circular hole enables theaforesaid ring to slide with friction along the aforesaid cigarette,under the influence of the fingers of the uses, wherein the ringcomprises at least a perforated proximal part to be oriented on the sidefor inhaling the cigarette, made of a dimensionally stable material, andan imperforate distal part destined to receive or be close to thesmoldering tip of the cigarette made of a different material, saidmaterial being selected from the group consisting of wood, meerschaum orterra cotta, and wherein the proximal part comprises a cylindrical wallhaving holes traversing the wall which form a perforated surface thatcomprises 20% or more of the proximal segment.
 3. A cylindrical sleeveaccording to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical wall comprises an annularflange on each of its extremities.